Dishwashing machine with vertically movable door



June 2, 1953 c. R. LEwls ET AL DISHWASHING MACHINE WITH VERTICALLY MOVABLE DOOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 11, 1949 art June 2, 1953 c. R. I Ewls E-r AL 2,640,535

DISHWASHING MACHINE WITH VERTICALLY MOVABLE DOOR Filed May 11, 1949 2 sheets-sheet a l Zim/521220K@ Y ygtarzggy Zhan/es RL 5ML/"5 -Rabsr't Z Taggart Patented June 2, 1953 DISHWASHING MACHINE WITH VERTI- CALLY MOVABLE DOOR Charles R. Lewis, Hartford, and Robert J. Taggart, Columbia, Conn., assignors toColts Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May 11, 1949, Serial No.` 92,558

11 Claims. 1

The invention relates to a housing and door construction for a dishwashing machine, and more particularly for a small dishwashing machine intended primarily for use in small establishmcnts having lunch counters, soda bars and the like. Forsuch use conservation of space is essential and it is particularly important that the vertical dimension be kept at a minimum inasmuch as it is frequently necessary to place the machine partly or entirely under the counter. A small dishwashing machine intended for use as above stated has a generally rectangular housing with openings in the opposite side walls thereof and has doors which normally close the said openings but which are openable to permit dishes to be moved into the housing through one opening and moved out of the housing through the opposite opening. It has been the prior practice to provide a dishwashing machine of this type with vertically movable one-piece doors which, when in their raised open positions, projected substantially above the top of the housing. These upward projecting doors have made under-counter use of such machines impossible and the installation and use of machines of this type has therefore been greatly restricted.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a housing and door construction wherein the doors are so constructed, arranged and operated that they do not when open project substantially beyond the housing. This makes it possible for the machine to be placed in a position, such as under a counter, where the available vertical space is so closely restricted that a conventional machine could not be used.

A further object of the invention is to provide various improved details of construction and arrangement for attaining the foregoing more general object. l

The accompanying drawings show one embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting or dening the invention, the claims forming a part hereof being relied upon for that purpose. f

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end view of la dishwashing machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is top view.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, this view omitting certain interior parts.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 but with the sectional doors open.

Fig'. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. l

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper right portion of \Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 2, this view showing the sectional door closed.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the sectional door open.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line |0 I 0 of Fig. '7.

A dishwashing machine embodying the invention comprises a housing which may be variously shaped. As shown the housing is rectangular, being indicated generally at I0. The housing is supported on a suitable framework indicated generallylat l2.

At least one side wall of the housing has a large opening therein for the passage of dishes into or out of the housing and preferably there are two similar openings in opposite side walls so that dishes mayV be moved into the housing through one opening and moved out of the housing through the opposite opening. With a machine of the type shown the dishes to be washed are carried by suitable rectangular supporting racks which are not shown. Racks with dishes therein are moved successively into the housing through one opening and are successively moved out of the `housing through the other opening. 'Suitable elements are provided within the housing for supporting the dishes to be washed, and when the dishes are carried by racks there are two oppositely positioned horizontal rails I4,-,I4 which'are properly spaced to supportand guide the racks. When there are two openings in the housing side walls, two manually operable vertically movable doors i6, I6 are provided for closing the said openings while each rack of dishes is positioned within the housing and while the dishes are being washed. The invention more particularly relates to the doors I6, I6 and to guiding means and operating mechanism therefor and theseparts will be hereinafter described in detail.

'Suitable means are provided within the housing vfor directing washing liquid against dishes supported on the supporting means such as the rails I4, M. The said means may be widely varied and the particular means shown in intended to be merely illustrative. There is a plurality of jet devices I8, I8 located near the top of the housing and adapted for directing jets or sprays sectional of washing liquid downward against the dishes. There is also a plurality of jet devices 20, 20 located near the bottom of the housing and adapted for directing jets or sprays of washing liquid upward against the dishes. The jet devices I8, I8 and 2li, 20 Aare connected by suitable manifolds 22 and pipes 24 with a pump 2B driven by an electric motor 28. A suitable tank. or sump 3D is provided at the bottom of the housing. The pump 26 withdraws liquid from the tank or sump 30 and forces it through the jet devices and against the dishes. The said washing liquid returns to the tank or sump for recirculation. The parts thus far referred to do not of themselves constitute any part of theinvention and it is therefore unnecessary to give a more detailed description.

As has been stated, a manually operable vertically movable door i6 is provided for each housing side wall opening. two openings and two doors. The doors and the guiding elements therefor will be hereinafter described in detail, but the mechanism for manually moving the doors will be now described.

:A counterweight 32 is provided within the housing and adjacent one wall thereof, this counterweight being guided for vertical movement by guides 33, 33. Flexible tension elements such as chains 34, 34 are connected with the counterweight. Each chain 34 extends around pulleys 36 and 38 attached to the top wall of the housing, the outer end of the chain being connected with the bottom of the corresponding door IG. The weight of the counterweight is somewhat greater than the combined weight of the two doors.

Another flexible tension element, such as a cable 40, is also connected with the counterweight. The cable 40 extends around pulleys 42 and 44 attached to the top wall of the housing. The outer end of the cable 40 is connected with an arm 46 which is shown in detail in Fig. 5. The arm-46 is secured to a horizontal rockshait 48 which is supported in -a bracket 50 secured to the corresponding side wall of the housing. Connected with the outer end of the rockshaft 48 is an arm 52 provided with a handle 54. As shown 'more clearly in Fig. 6, the bracket 50 is provided with abutment faces 56, E which serve to limit the extent of movement of the arm 52 and which therefore serve to limit the extent of movement of arm 46. One of the abutment faces prevents the arms from moving rearward beyond the lower positions shown in Fig. 3 and the other of the abutment faces prevents the yarms from moving rearward beyond the upper positions shown in Fig; 4.

When the doors I6, I6 are in their lower closed positions the arm 52 and the handle 54 are also in their'lower positions as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3. With the parts in the positions last above-referred to the cable 40 has been moved beyond a dead center position and it holds the counterweight in its upper position, the doors having been moved by gravity to their lower positions. When it is desired to raise the doors the handle 54 and the arm 52 are moved from the positions as shown in Fig. 3 to the positions as shown in Fig. 4. This permits the counterweight v32'to move downward from the position shown in' Fig. 3 and inasmuch as the weight of the through the chains 34, 34 serves to raise the doors to their upper open positions. When it is desired to close the doors, the handle 54 and the Usually there are '4 arm 52 are moved downward from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 3. The cable 48 raises the counterweight and the doors I6, it are permitted to move downward by gravity to their lower closed positions.

The invention relates more particularly to the doors i6 and to the Yparts directly associated therewith. The doors and the associated parts are shown more clearly in Figs. 'I to 10 `and these figures will be particularly referred to in the dcscription which follows.

Preferably each housing side wall which has an opening therein is formed with an upper vertical portion 58 and with a lower vertical portion 6G which is spaced outwardly with respect to the said upper portion. The opening for the passage of dishes is bounded at the top by the lower edge of the upper wall portion 58 and is bounded at the bottom by the upper edge of the lower wall portion 6i). The upper wall portion 58 preferably has downward extensions 59 at the sides thereof, the lower ends of the said downward extensions being below the upper edge of the lower wall portion 60 as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The said opening for the passage of dishes is bounded at its sides by the said downward extensions 5S. Vertical guides 52, 62 are located at the respective sides of each housing opening. These guides are at the outside of the plane of the corresponding upper and inner side wall portion 5t and their lower portions are at the inside of the plane of the corresponding lower and outer side wall portion 60. The upper ends of the guides are spaced substantially below the plane of the top of the housing.

The two guides 52, 62 at the sides of each opening have a plurality of pairs of opposite vertical guiding elements. The guiding elements of the guides may be varied as to details but preferably the guides are formed with a plurality of pairs of opposite vertical grooves. Each guide may advantageously be formed as shown in detail in Fig. l0. The guide comprises a vertical member 64 having at least one vertical groove 66 therein and also having two longitudinal notches at its sides. The guide 62 also comprises a vertical U-shaped sheet metal member S8 which partly surrounds the member 64. The sides of the U-shaped member 66 cooperate with the above-mentioned longitudinal notches to form longitudinal grooves lil and 'I2 additional to the groove 66. As shown, the sides of the yLJ-shaped member 63 extend inward substantially beyond the vertical member 64.

The door for normally closing each side wall opening comprises a plurality of vertically movable panels, preferably formed of sheet metal. The number of panels may be varied but preferably and as shown there are three panels 14, 'l and '18. The edge portions of the panels are guided in the grooves in the vertical guides. The upper panel 'I4 is guided in the grooves l0, the intermediate panel 16 is guided in the grooves 56, and the lower panel 78 is guided in the grooves l2. The end portions of the panels are behind the projecting front portion of the U-shaped members S3 of the guides. It will be observed that the upper panel 'I4 is outside of and closely adjacent the upper and inner side wall portion 58 and that the other panels are successively spaced outward with the lower panel 73 inside of and closely adjacent the lower and outer side wall portion 60.

When the panels are in their lower closing positions, they overlap each otherand suitable means are provided for limiting downward movement of the panels beyond their last said positions. Interengageable means or elements are provided in xed relationship to the housing and on the upper panel 'lll for limiting downward movement of the said upper panel. Preferably and as shown, this means comprises a ange or abutment S which projects outward from the top of the upper panel and is above the upper ends of the guides 62, 62. As shown, a thin block 82 of rubber or equivalent material is secured to the lower side of the flange 80 at each end thereof. The flange 811 and the blocks 82, 82 thereon serve to limit downward movement of the upper panel 74. 'I'he blocks 82, 82 absorb shock and reduce noise incident to the engagement with the upper ends of the guides.

Each of the panels 'M and 16 has its lower portion bent outward and upward to form a horizontally extending loop E24 open at the top. Each of the panels 1G and 18 has its upper portion bent inward and downward to form a horizontally extending loop 8S open at the bottom. When the panels are in their lower positions as shown in Fig. 8, the adjacent loops 84 and 86 on each two adjacent panels interengage to prevent each panel from moving downward with respect to the next adjacent higher panel. Preferably a strip 88 of rubber or equivalent material is positioned within one of the loops of each interengaging pair, and as shown, the strips 88 are in the lower loops 31%. As shown, each strip 88 is a flattened tube. The said strips 88, 88 serve to absorb shock and reduce noise when the loops are interengaged and they also serve to prevent leakage of washing 'liquid outward between the panels.

The before-described chain 34 for each door is connected with the lower panel 18 thereof. Preferably and as shown, the lower panel 18 has a flange 9B which projects inward from the bottom thereof, the chain 3d being connected with the ange. The flange 90 serves as an abutment for engaging the other panels successively to raise them when the lower panel is raised. Thus the housing side wall opening is at least partially exposed. As shown, a block 92 of rubber or equivalent material is secured to the upper side of the ilange 9u near each end thereof. The blocks 92 engage the panels 16 and T4 when the panel 'IB is raised and the said blocks engage the lower edge of the upper and inner wall portion 5S when the uppermost position is reached as shown in Fig. 9, thus limiting upward movement. The blocks 92 serve to absorb shock and reduce noise. Preferably a second block 94 of rubber or equivalent material is secured to the flange B at the lower side thereof and Vnear each end thereof. The side wall portion 6i) carries stops Sli with which the blocks S4 engage when the lower panel 78 is in its lowermost position. Thus the blocks 9e and stops 96 cooperate with the interengaging loops on the panels to limit downward movement of the lower panel.

Figs. 7 and 8 show the door in the lower closed position. When the lower panel l@ is raised by the chain 34, the rubber blocks S2 on the flange all successively engage with the looped portions Ell of the panels 76 and M, all of the panels being moved to the positions shown in Fig. 9. It will be observed that the tops of all of the panels are closely adjacent but below the plane of the top of the housing, and that the flange B on the upper panel 14 is substantially flush with` lthe top of the housing. The width of the iiangev is such that it overlies and conceals the tops of the panels 'I6 and 18. The upper looped ends of the panels 16 and 18 engage or substantially engage the blocks 82 at the lower side of the flange 80. The engagement of the lever 52 with the corresponding abutment faces 56 on the bracket 50 prevents the manually operable mechanism from moving the lower panels upward beyond the positions shown in Fig. 9. The said abutment face engages the lever substantially simultaneously with the engagement of the blocks 92 with the lower edge of the upper and inner wall portion 53.

What is claimed is:

l. For use in a dishwashing machine, the combination of a housing provided with vertical side walls and having at least one lateral side wall opening for the passage of dishes, vertical guides located at the sides ofthe said housing opening, each guide comprising a vertical member having at least one vertical panel guiding groove therein and also having two longitudinal notches at its sides yand each guide also comprising a vertical U-shaped member partly surrounding the rst said vertical member and cooperating with the said notches to form two other vertical panel guiding grooves, a plurality of vertically movable door panels for closing the said housing opening, the edge portions of the panels being guided by the guiding elements of the corresponding pairs and the said panels overlapping each other when in their lower positions, interengageable elements in xed relationship to the housing and on the upper panel adapted for limiting downward movement of the said upper panel, interengageable elements on each two immediately adjacent panels adapted for limiting downward movement of the lower of the said panels with respect to the upper of the said panels, manually operable mechanism connected with the lower panel for raising it, and an abutment on the lower panel for engaging the said other panels successively to raise them when the lower panel is raised.

2. For use in a dishwashing machine, the combination of a housing provided with vertical side walls and having at least one lateral side wall opening for the passage of dishes, Vertical guides located at the sides of the said housing opening and having a plurality of pairs of opposite vertical guiding elements, the upper ends of the guides being substantially below the plane of the top of the housing, a plurality of movable door panels for closing the said housing opening, the edge portions of the panels being guided by the guiding elements of the corresponding pairs and the said panels overlapping each other when in their lower positions, means at the ends of the upper panel engageable with the upper ends of the said guides and serving to limit downward movement of the said upper panel, interengageable elements on each two immediately adjacent panels adapted for limiting downward movement of the lower of the said panels with respect to the upper of the said panels, manually operable mechanism connected 'with the lower panel for raising it, and an abutment on the lower panel for engaging the said other panels successively to raise them when the lower panel is raised.

3. For use in a dishwashing machine, the combination of a housing provided with vertical side walls and having at least one lateral side wall opening for the `passage of dishes, vertical guides located at the sides oi the said housing opening and having a plurality of pairs of opposite vertical guiding elements, la plurality of movable in their lower positions with each panel below the upper panel spaced outwardly from the panel next above it, interchangeable eiements on each two immediately adjacent panels adapted for limiting downward movement of the lower of the said panels with respect to the upper of the said panels, manually operable mechanism connected with the lower panel for raising it, an inwardly extending abutment on the lower panel near the bottom thereof for engaging the said other panels successively to raise them when the lower panel is raised, and an outwardly projecting abutment on the upper panel near the top thereof and movable therewith which last said abutment is engageable with the other panels at the upper edges thereof to limit upward movement of the said other panels with respect to the said upper panel.

4. For use in a dishwashing machine, the cornbination of a housing provided with vertical side walls, and having at least one lateral side wall opening for the passage of dishes, vertical guides located at the sides of the said housing opening and having a plurality of pairs or" opposite vertical guiding elements, the upper ends of the guides being substantially below the plane of the top of the housing, a plurality of movable door panels for closing the said housing opening, the edge portions of the panels being guided by the guiding elements of the corresponding pairs and the said panels overlapping each other when in their lower positions with each panel below the upper panel spaced outwardly from the panel next above it, interengageable elements on cach two immediately adjacent panels adapted for limiting downward movement of the lower of the said panels with respect to the upper of the said panels, manually operable mechanism connected with the lower panel for raising it, an inwardly projecting abutment on the lower panel near the bottom thereof for engaging the said other panels successively to raise them when the lower panel is raised, and an outwardly projecting abutment on the upper panel nea-r the top thereof and movable therewith which last said abutment is engageable with the upper ends of the said guides to limit downward movement of the said upper panel, the last said abutment being also engageable with the other panels at the upper edges thereof to limit upward movement of the said other panels with respect to the said upper panel.

5. For use in a dishwashing machine, the combination of a housing provided with vertical side walls and having at least one lateral side wall opening `lor the passage of dishes, an upper housing side wail portion above the said opening, vertical guides located at the sides of the said housing opening and having a plurality of pairs of opposite vertical guiding elements, the said vertical guides being outside of the plane of the said upper housing side wall portion, a plurality of movable door panels for closing the said housing opening, the edge portions of the panels being guided by the guiding elements of the corresponding pairs and said `panels overlapping each other when in their lower positions with each panel below the upper panel spaced outwardly from the panel next above it, interengageable elements on each two immediately adjacent panels adapted for limiting downward movement of the lower of the said panels with respect to the upper of the said panels, manually operable mechanism connected with the lower panel for raising it, and an inwardly projecting abutment on the lower panel near the bottom thereof for engaging the said other panels successively to raise them when the lower panel is raised, the said abutment being also engageable with the lower edge of the said upper housing wall portion to limit upward movement of the said lower panel.

6. For use in a dishwashing machine, the combination of a housing provided with vertical side walls and having at least one lateral side wall opening for the passage of dishes, an upper housing side wall portion above the said opening, vertical guides located at the sides of the said housing opening and having a plurality of pairs of opposite vertical guiding elements, the said vertical guides being outside of the plane of the said upper housing side wall portion and the upper ends of the said guides being substantially below the plane of the top of the housing, a plurality of movable door panels for closing the said housing opening, the edge portions of the panels being guided by the guiding elements of the corresponding pairs and the said panels overlapping each other when in their lower positions with each panel below the upper panel spaced outwardly from the panel next above it, interengageable elements on each two immediately adjacent panels adapted for limiting downward movement of the lower of the said panels with respect to the upper of the said panels, manually operable mechanism connected with the lower panel for raising it, an inwardly projecting abutment on the lower panel near the bottom thereof for engaging the said other panels suocessively to raise them when the lower panel is raised, the said abutment being also engageable with the lower edge of the said upper housing wall portion to limit upward movement of the said lower panel, and an abutment on the upper panel near the top thereof and `movable therewith which last said abutment is engageable with the upper ends of the said guides to limit downward movement of the said upper panel.

'7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein the last said abutment on the upper panel projects outwardly and is also engageable with the other panels at the upper edges thereof to limit upward movement of the said other panels with respect to the said upper panel.

8. For use in a dishwashing machine, the combination of a housing provided with vertical side walls and having at least one lateral side wall opening for the passage of dishes, an upper housing side wall portion above the said opening, a lower housing side wall portion below the said v opening and spaced outwardly with respect to the said upper side wall portion, two vertical guides located at the sides of the said housing opening' and having a plurality of pairs of opposite vertical guiding elements, the said vertical guides being outside of the plane of the said upper housing side wall and the lower portions of the said guides being inside of the plane of the said lower housing side wall portion, a plurality of overlapping vertically movable door panels serving when in their lower positions to close the said housing opening and having their edge portions guided by the corresponding elements of the guides, the upper panel being outside of and closely adjacent the outside of the said upper housing side wall portion and the other panels being successively spaced outward with the lower panel inside of and closely adjacent the inside of the said lower housing side wall portion, means for preventing downward movement of the said panels beyond their said overlapping lowei` positions, and manually operable mecha nisrn for raising the panels successively.

9. rIhe combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein the said manually operable mechanism is connected with the lower panel for raising it, wherein there is an abutment on the lower panel for engaging the other panels successively to raise them when the lower panel is raised, and wherein the said abutment is engageable with the lower edge of the upper housing side wall portion to limit upward movement.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein the upper ends of the .guides are substantially below the plane of the top of the housing, wherein there is a means on the upper panel engagealole with the upper ends of the guides and serving to limit downward movement of said upper panel, and wherein there are interengageable elements on each two immediately adjacent panels adapted for limiting downward move-= 10 ment of the lower of the said panels with respect to the upper of the said panels.

11. The Icombination as set forth in claim 10, wherein the said means on the upper panel is an outward projecting flange at the top of the said panel which flange is engageable with the upper ends of the guides to limit downward movement of the said upper panel and which flange is of such width as to lie in the paths of upward move-l ment of all of the other panels.

CHARLES R. LEWIS. ROBERT J. TAGGART.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,385,023 Parodi et al July 19, 1921 1,489,737 Burkart Apr. 8, 1924 1,492,420 Burke et al Apr. 29, 1924 1,495,473 Fitzgerald May 27, 1924 1,667,119 Kehoe, Jr., et al. Apr. 24, 1928 2,016,115 Messlor Oct. 1, 1935 2,051,233 Webb Aug. 18, 1936 

